Oxford Dictionary defines vulnerability as the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

Every time I hear the word vulnerable, I think of it as being helpless or weak. That this bring about heartbreak or disappointments or suffering and pain.

And I always blame this so called vulnerability on why I am feeling this way or that way. I always think of it as a hindrance more than a strength.

Today, I realized that this same vulnerability is what made me who I am. It is the very heart of my writing.

I now realize that the reason why I am not writing as much, was because I am doing my best to not show my vulnerable side.

Because, vulnerability is what makes me feel, see, appreciate, hear and empathize. This is how I feel sadness, joy, contentment and how I find connections with others around me and the world. I thought this made me a weak person, but in reality, this is the very core of my strength. This is the very heart of my writing. This is what makes my stories.

I’ve been around people who for some reason or another, are not vulnerable at all. For this reason, they don’t know how to emphasize, they’re afraid to let their kindness and compassion show and they don’t know how to show love. And it is from this knowing and being around them, that made me question my vulnerability and in part made me hate it. So…I hid it and pretended that I am stronger than they are. And it took my writing and myself away.

I realized that vulnerability is not actually the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being harmed whether it be physically or emotionally.

I am vulnerable and I am strong.

Best,